Polysaccharide fibers and method for producing same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a direct dissolving process for the production of polysaccharide fibers which contain α(1→3)-glucan as a fiber-forming substance, with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution as a solvent, as well as to the fibers made thereby, and to their use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A non-woven product comprising a polysaccharide fiber whose fiber-forming substance is α(1→3)-glucan, wherein the α(1→3)-glucan has a weight average degree of polymerization between 200 and 2000. 
     
     
       2. The non-woven product of  claim 1 , wherein at least 90% of the α(1→3)-glucan are hexose units and at least 50% of the hexose units are linked via α(1→3)-glycosidic bonds. 
     
     
       3. The non-woven product of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the polysaccharide fiber is a continuous filament. 
     
     
       4. The non-woven product of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the polysaccharide fiber is a staple fiber. 
     
     
       5. The non-woven product of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said fiber is produced using a direct dissolving process in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. 
     
     
       6. The non-woven product of  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the weight average degree of polymerization is between 500 and 1000.